The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-05-21

IOuuu mystery as 10 Lnelr identify.
Steiner was very strong in his likes
and dislikes. He quarrelIed but sell
dom, but never became reconciled
when. once really offended. He was
good true citizen, and discharged
all duties of such to the public fully.
An amusing incident is recalled.
He was not much of church-goer,
but on certain occasion, brother
Henry Knepper was to preach a spe-
cial sermon to the sinners of Grants
vile ("good God. what will become
of you ?' was his fayorite express
sion). Our subject was in a quiet
cornerin the little white church of
1S47. The sermon was long, truthful
and pointed. The hotel man became
restiye, and walked up to the Cody
man and laid down two half dollars
on the pulpit, remarking, II always
pay as l CO." and he suited the re-
mark to the act of leaving. Much
more could be said Of this peculiar
man. He died at the early age of SO
years. In his case an octogenerian
constitution broke down thus no
doubt from misuse of natures physi-
cal endOWments.
He lies on spot of his own choice
on the Sterner farmer, alone. He left
an unincumbered farm and a gOodly
amount of personal effects at his
death to his widow and three chill
dren, all now dead except the widow
Joseph Direly of Salisbury. Another
sister, the wife of Edmond Direly
was buried in the same grave with
her husband, who was killed on the
plains by the Indians-was brought
to his home in Illinois dead. The
shock proved fatal to her frail system.
Henry Fuller, well-known inn
keeper in Salisbury, Pa, moved to
Grantsville in the spring of 1887, and
!, built the National House, it being
with an exception or two the first
building in the place. He ran it as a
tavern for tour years. He and his
sons were stone masOns by trade, and
did that line of the work in it them
selves. Elijah, the oldest son, says
he built the North chimney himself
at the age of Is, He was a big boy
then, and has been on the increase
ever since. Fuller quit the business
in 1871, and fell back on his trade,
which he pursued for the rest of his
life. He lived very retired life at
Shade Hollow. He was an upright,
positive, fair man, with keen pene-
trating eye, as we'll as mind. He
died in 1881, aged 81 years, leaving a
widow isince deceasedl with whom
he had lived sixty-one years. This
aged couple enjoyed. as they had a
right, great deal Of respect among
their neighbors.
George SmOuse was another well.
known GrantsviIIe hotel keeper-the
son of Daniel Smouse, Sr.. and
brother of our two well known towns
men. Daniel and Henry SmOuse, and
also of William Smouse, Court Cryer
of Garrett county. George had a
magnificent physique, and in every
way splendid looking man. Such
as he was could not fail to make him
} popular in his line of business. He
} was liked as host and man. He did
fine business at the National House
, for number of years, and previously
, to that he kept the old Haldeman
inn on Negro Mountain for some
, years. Here occurred in times long
, since past, events, if written out,
would thrill and at the same time
sorrow the reader, hut let there be
silence for another generation, II
J was sorrOWful to see such a specimen
of man as George Smouse die at
about 40 years of age, in the year
1866, He left a widow and one child.
1t has often been remarked that the
twelve children-evenly divided as
to sex-of old Mr.. Daniel Smouse,
were, all in all, the finest in appear.
ance and comeliness ever known in
either of the two counties.
One of the most widely known inn
keepers 40 or 80 years ago, was James
Stoddard. He was kinsman or de.
scendant of Benjamin Stoddard, Sec
rotary of the Navy, under General
Washington. He came to Allegany
county from some of the Southern
counties of the state. beyond the time
of our recollection. Kept at different
points on the road, oste1sibly at
Keyspr Ridge number of years.
He vacated that airy place-the high
est on the Alleganies-tO make room
for Truman Fairall. He was very
, popular in his day, and widely
: known even to many of the great
men of the nation, as they passed
to and from the capital of the
country. and he did not hesitate to
. make such acquaintance. He was a